English and Russian subtitled
In 2015 I made a documentary about the development of martial arts in Europe. Of course, it would be possible to cover more actors, talk about other schools and directions, but I talked about what I faced myself. The documentary shows what I understood, what I lived and felt. This film is about people who showed that the real story is made by ordinary people. The film is not only about sport, but about life and personal example. I made it for several months. It's a long time for a documentary of half an hour, but this is because I did everything by my own: script, shooting, voice-over, selection of archival materials, post-production ... For me it was really important. By this way, I expressed deep respect to the people I knew and gratitude to the country in which I live now.
In the early 1970s, the characters of the film are 15-20 years old. And, as the youth of today, they needed to decide their life choices within the context of radical change of the society. The consumer society became the style of life of the western world. But the young people search for their own values and their heroes. Growing interest in esotericism, eastern philosophy, martial arts. The actor Bruce Lee, the master of martial arts, becomes an icon of anti-culture for the youth. Thousands of young people wanted to be like him. Whereas for him, the most important was to honestly express himself.
The film's main character is Dan Schwartz, one of the European pioneers of kung fu, today Master. He started boxing, judo, karate from an early age, and then became one of the European pioneers of kung fu. He, young and unknown at the time, coming from Paris to Asia at his own risk to discover the martial arts master and acquire his own way, the art of being oneself. The lucky star led Dan Schwartz to the school of the legendary Master Yip Man (IP MAN), in which Bruce Lee was student of wing chun style.
In 1978, Asia is upset - the first Frenchman comes to participate in the Second World Championship of kung-fu full-contact ! That was unimaginable in Europe ! Here was Dan Schwartz. At that time no one was ever talked about MMA, UFC, mixed martial arts, fights without rules. Because of Bruce Lee's films, everybody only talked about Kung-Fu Wushu. But it was fighting with very few restrictions.
Dan Schwartz returned from Asia to Europe with sports trophies and opened his school in France, so that Europeans learned about martial arts not only from movies. Then, many young people joint his club in Paris.
In 1983, still a teenager, I arrived from the USSR in France, in Paris. And one of the first things I did was going to the movies and see a film with Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. For me, Bruce Lee was inspiration of excellence, freedom, wisdom.
The same year, Dan returned again in Asia, at his own expenses, but this time as captain of the french team. At the time, there was no Internet, iPhones, United Europe, globalization. Borders separated countries more than today. China was still closed to foreigners, so they could only dream of visiting the legendary Shaolin Monastery. The true Masters of Kung Fu were rare, the Cultural Revolution banned martial arts in China. Cowardly blows, cheating shabby, absence of rules and protection devices (no helmet, mouth guard, no gloves, only cup) - everything was against The French. By the way, given the large number of injuries during these fights, the rules of combat will be changed in a few years and the fighting will be less violent. Despite all these difficulties of fight, the guys had won the bet! This legendary team has got the bronze medal, and one of them became World Champion.
35 years later, we have a unique opportunity to share his memories, and discover what helped them to achieve a part of the History of French Sport, and to teach young people what they have learned.
Watching my film, Dan Schwartz was surprised why I did not leave his words about the philosophical component of martial arts, Kung Fu Wushu. I told him that every philosophy is expressed primarily in the realities of life, in what a person does, how he lives, and I made a film about people who tried to express their point of view and beliefs by their actions. That's why they were able to make the history of their country. I am proud to be their contemporary and to know them.
In this documentary are presented photos and interviews, posters, video footage from private archives, including rare footage of fight scenes from the 1983 World Cup.
Video published is for learning purpose to provide information of martial arts around the world.
Documentary film
Running time: 23'
Written, produced & directed by : Andrei MKRTTCHIAN